Truck Driver Runs Red Light, Causes 3-Car Crash in Tampa

Posted on Jun 06, 2013

On Saturday, May 11, 2013, a semitrailer truck blew through a red light and hit multiple vehicles. According to the Tampa police, this Tampa truck accident occurred around 11 p.m. Saturday night on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard near Interstate 75.

The accident investigation revealed that the 69-year-old truck driver Thomas Jonovitch, of Palm Bay, was exiting northbound I-75 at the Bruce B. Downs exit ramp. He failed to stop at a red light and collided into three vehicles.

It appears that Jonovitch thought he was on an extension of the interstate. He told police that when he realized his mistake, he locked his brakes—causing the truck to slide across the intersection. When his semitrailer locked up, he struck three vehicles that were stopped at the light on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, dragging two of the cars under the trailer. The semi truck then overturned and spilled part of its load onto the roadway.

The three drivers involved in this crash include 50-year-old Penny Seon, 37-year-old Francisca Ezeogu, and 18-year-old Amy Skrzpaczak, all of Tampa. We do know that they were all taken to area hospitals for treatment of their non-life threatening injuries. However, there has been no update on the condition of these accident victims at this time.

Police closed a section of the road after the accident for several hours in order to conduct an investigation and cleanup. Tampa police then cited Jonovitch for failing to bring his 2005 Freightliner to a stop at a red light.

The Mallard Law Firm would like to wish those injured in this trucking accident full and fast recoveries.